Adver correspondent Bernard Philips is quite right to applaud and support Councillor Mattock’s ‘vision for the future of our town’ (SA 12 November) and I am sure there is a lot of genuine excitement at the prospect of a new art gallery and museum forming part of the town's re-generation.

However, it is a legitimate question to ask whether £5 million should be paid from council budgets to bring this ‘idea' to fruition’ – especially when the council persists in its claim that the bank account is all but empty.

As for a new art gallery and museum changing a person’s perception of Swindon – that is simply wishful thinking.

In 2007, spending £1.3m on an upgrade to the Wyvern Theatre was justified on the basis that ‘This project demonstrates the council’s commitment to embracing and enhancing culture in the borough’. The expectation was that ‘This exciting venue will help establish Swindon as a destination of choice for performing arts,’ yet only a few short months before, the council leader’s view as clearly stated was that the Wyvern was in the wrong location and needed to be rebuilt.

Let’s remember – we have heard councillors make statements on Swindon’s cultural aspirations over many years – a new concert hall promised in the late 70s – The New Swindon Company a forerunner of Forward Swindon, in 2006 claimed it wanted the promenade to become the town’s cultural precinct – which would include ‘finding the town’s modern art collection a new home as well as moving the museum from Old Town’. All of this was to herald a ‘new identity’ for the town.

In truth the people of Swindon have become tired of words and promises of regeneration.

Who can forget the proposed Winter Garden – an enormous greenhouse displaying tropical plants all year round and the showpiece of a new town centre, described by one time council leader Rod Bluh as a fantastic idea. Instead we have a tired and worn out Wharf Green.

The council has declared itself to be short of the expertise to run leisure centres, including a profitable golf course. It handed over the management of the Wyvern and the Arts Centre to contractors and yet expects the council taxpayer to accept it can run a museum and art gallery. It doesn’t add up.

Des Morgan Caraway Drive Swindon